Art for Art's Sake — A Dinner with Mr. Kooi
Last night, I had dinner at The Ship on Sri Bahari Road with Mr. Kooi, a fellow artist who works with copper tooling as his chosen medium. His passion lies not only in creating art but in uniting artists for charitable causes—raising funds for the handicapped, children’s homes, and other organizations in need. He hopes to cultivate a new image for the Penang art community, one that emphasizes contribution to society over personal gain.
It’s a noble aspiration, and I wholeheartedly support the spirit behind it.
I shared with Mr. Kooi and another Malay artist present that for the past two years, I’ve donated two of my artworks to the D’Home Foundation fundraising efforts for the mentally ill. I was told one of my pieces fetched RM700 at auction. That was heartwarming—but for me, the real satisfaction was simply knowing my work could serve someone beyond myself.
I mentioned that such initiatives should start low-profile and on a small scale, allowing them to take root quietly and grow naturally. In this modern age, even the most well-intentioned projects can backfire under the weight of excessive publicity or internal politics—especially if the effort ruffles the feathers of others in the art community or threatens entrenched interests.
I believe artists don’t really retire. But those of us who are, by societal standards, of "retirement age" should find ways to give back. We've spent years enjoying the privileges of being called artists—earning respect, income, and a place in society. Now is the time to share what we’ve received.
Today, I see more and more artists preoccupied with how to get into shows, how to sell fast, how to maximize profits from their creative output. And sadly, I’ve seen even friends turn into scrooges—unwilling to share ideas or profits, guarding their niche as if under siege. This spirit of one-upmanship breeds isolation, even bitterness. Some backbite, some sabotage, fearing others may steal their spotlight or edge into their market.
Don’t ask me how I know—I trust my heart. I can tell from a person’s demeanor whether they’re genuine or just playing the game for self-promotion. Maybe I’m naïve. I’ve always believed in art for art’s sake.
I remember once during my time at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, I was working on a monoprint series of Native Americans in the printmaking studio. I worked late into the night—so often, in fact, that the university gave me permission to sleep in the studio loft. From there, I could see the entire studio space and my prints pinned to the wall.
That morning, I had just completed 25 monoprints and passed out from exhaustion. I was woken by the chatter of a group of adult students, mostly women, gathering for their printmaking club. One said, “Too bad he never sells his work or shows anywhere.” Another replied, “This is art for art’s sake.”
I smiled in my heart. They were right. But truth be told, I also wished I had sold something that day—I didn’t even have money for food.
Yet, I survived. And I lived a full life in the process.
Friends made sure I had a meal when I needed one. Even the night security guards would occasionally knock on the door, bringing me a burger and a drink. That was true charity—from the heart, for the soul. It made me feel special despite my material lack.
When I worked those long hours on my prints, I never thought about their market value. I only thought of the joy they might bring someone. And when I visited friends’ homes and saw my works on their walls—not because they bought them, but because they were gifts—I felt part of their lives. That was my reward.
I may have been naïve, but I was true to myself.
My talent is God-given. I am no better or worse than many of my peers, but this gift has opened doors that would otherwise remain closed to an ordinary man. It has guided me down roads less traveled, protected me, lifted me, and allowed me to serve in ways I never dreamed.
That’s why I give back. Not out of ego. Not for recognition. But because I owe it to the One who gave me this gift.
As I grow older, I see even more clearly that art is not a commodity—it’s a calling. A spiritual act. A bridge between souls.
“There are not only more people collecting, there are more people collecting for the wrong reasons, basically as the latest get-rich-quick scheme. They buy art like lottery tickets.”
— Mary Boone, Art Collector
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